After honing his skills in the Utility Sales Division at Allis Chalmers, Joe and Jill returned home to Texas and launched James Industries with help from his first principal partner, Leighton Industries, a boiler pressure part fabricator. James Industries was incorporated on October 10, 1982.

Signing a small office lease on Bellaire Blvd, James Industries was open for business. Choosing action over capitulation, Joe added several manufacturing partners with a market focus on Power Utilities in Texas and Oklahoma. There were no Google Maps in those days. Stack chasing was common practice!

Coal-fired power plants offered seemingly endless opportunities. As JI’s customer relationships grew, so did our line card of manufacturing partners. JI expanded into mechanical dampers, expansion joints, feedwater heaters, air heaters, turbine repairs and renewal parts. Sound familiar?

As JI added clients and strengthened partnerships, so did the administrative workload. Joe hired his mother, Betty, to help run the office while he was away selling, sticking to the theme of being a family-owned and operated company.

While the aftermarket business was sustaining early success, JI added key partners including GEA Power Cooling Systems and Applied Thermal Systems (ATS) that further diversified our customer base into Capital Power Projects and EPC firms. 

After several stops over the years, James Industries moved into our current HQ office located in Bellville, Texas. The early 2000’s was marked by rapid growth in Power before it crashed following the Enron scandal. JI was positioned ahead of the curve and navigated an era of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty in the power market. 

Building upon a firm foundation, James Industries continued growing through the mid-2000’s, adding industry knowledge, expertise and technical services to better serve a loyal and growing client base.

The 2020s ushered in a new era of transformation. Grounded in our commitment to customer relationships, JI refined its principal line card—strengthening alignment with our core values and legacy of excellence. Several new partnerships were formed, and succession strategies were set in motion.

After founding and building the company over a 40-year period, Joe and Jill Wolfskill officially retired in June 2022, surrounded by family, employees, colleagues and customers we’re lucky to call friends. Joe’s Son, Dan Wolfskill assumes President role of James Industries. 

Backed by industry-leading partners, advanced technology, and emerging AI capabilities, James Industries is positioned to thrive in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Our focus on adaptability and long-term planning ensures dependable, forward-thinking solutions for today—and the future ahead.

Astros Season Opener with the Founders!

Dan and Sarah on-site

Measure twice, cut once with Precision Expansion Joints

Having fun at Powergen with Howden!

James Gang regroup meeting at HQ

Eva and Jill

Melanie and Sarah

Melanie visiting Torishima in Osaka, Japan.

Birthday celebrations!

Mike in his element.

Dan visiting a project site in Manzanillo, Dominican Republic.

New tent!

Joe in his element.

Take your kid to work day!

Supporting Calpine’s Annual Golf Fundraiser

The James Gang eats out!